Return of the rustlers

Cattle rustling appears to be on the rise in Wyoming
and other Western states. Kelly Hamilton, a law enforcement
supervisor for the Wyoming State Livestock Board, says over 50
rustling incidents have been reported in the state in 1994. The
increase stems from high cattle prices, but a major problem,
Hamilton says, is that pickup trucks and horse trailers make
rustling a quick and easy practice. Cases vary from making off with
one or two animals to a recent FBI investigation of an interstate
rustling ring. Peter Marble, owner of the 71 Ranch near Deeth in
northern Nevada, was out $200,000 after some 200 cattle were
stolen. Luckily for Marble, the cows were found by Wyoming and
Nevada brand inspectors. The culprit was Marble's former ranch
foreman, who allegedly moved the cattle to his ranch near
Thermopolis, Wyo. The foreman and his wife are charged with five
counts of possession of stolen property in Hot Springs County,
Wyo.; federal charges may follow.